Separated by generations, Dan Voss Jr. delivers sucker punches of ’80s and ’90s rock edge—echoing his days writing and producing for major artists—while Zeus propels their sound forward, wielding his “studio wiz” skills to blend in fresh, modern textures. Together, they’ve struck sonic gold—music that’s professional, unpredictable, polished, yet ferociously fun. I sat down with them to find out all about this new creative hook-up.
Can we start with a bit of background? How did you both get into music? How did you meet? And what does the path that brought you to where we find you today look like?
Music has always been a constant for both of us. We each started out as live instrumentalists, which naturally led to playing in bands, working in studios, and learning the craft from the ground up. Over time, that turned into producing, writing, and shaping projects beyond ourselves.
We first crossed paths while working within the same creative orbit years ago, collaborating on an earlier project that immediately revealed a shared musical language. Life eventually pulled us in different directions, but when we reconnected later on, the timing felt right. Both of us were at personal and creative turning points, and that intersection became the catalyst for Power Down. What you’re hearing now is the result of years of experience, reflection, and a deliberate decision to start fresh and build something meaningful from the ground up.
Who would you say are your influences—both musically and perhaps people you admire in other areas?
Our influences span a wide range of emotions and styles. Musically, we’re inspired by artists like Gorillaz, The Cure, Sia, Rufus Wainwright, Walk the Moon, Bill Withers, and The Doors. We’re also both drawn to musical theater and stage productions, which definitely feeds into the sense of drama and intention behind our vocal delivery.
Beyond music, we admire creatives who build worlds—people who understand that sound, visuals, and narrative all work together to create something immersive. That holistic approach plays a big role in shaping Power Down.
There appears to be an interesting dynamic at work in Power Down, that of the seasoned musician joining forces with rising talent. Can you talk about how that balance of experience and new energy plays out in the band?
What’s interesting is that despite different paths, we share a very similar approach to songwriting and the studio process. There’s a timelessness to how we both believe a song should be built—serving the emotion first, then choosing the tools that best support it.
If a track leans vintage, we’re intentional about capturing the feel, performance, and mix that honors that era. If it leans modern, we apply the same care and discipline. Where our tastes or techniques differ, we treat it as an opportunity to meet in the middle and find a stronger solution. That balance keeps the music grounded while still feeling energized and current.
Turning to your first single, “Bag in Hand,” there is a wonderful echo of big ’80s pop and more of the here-and-now rock punch. Is that a sound you planned for, or is it more of what comes out naturally when you write together?
“Bag in Hand” ended up being one of the defining songs for how we approach vocals and overall tone. The melodic ideas and structure came together very quickly, but we spent time experimenting with performance and delivery until that slightly dramatic, ’80s-leaning influence really locked in.
We usually plant early seeds regarding where we want a song to land sonically, but we don’t box ourselves in. If a moment wants to shift stylistically or surprise the listener, we let it happen—as long as it serves the song. That flexibility is a big part of what makes the track feel cohesive despite its dynamic range.
The song, especially when experienced via the video that accompanies it, is a story in its own right. What are you saying here, and what relevance does it have for the listener?
The video is a fairly direct interpretation of the song’s core idea, but we were careful not to make it too literal. The concept is meant to be something people can project their own experiences onto.
Everyone has encountered a moment—or a person—where something felt unresolved, like a transition was inevitable even if it hadn’t fully happened yet. That’s what “Bag In Hand” represents. While the video offers one way to experience that feeling, the song itself is meant to live in whatever context resonates most with the listener.
The result is an intelligent brand of pop, or at least pop-rock. Does the pop genre become a bit too generic and could do with just such an injection of smart and sassy sounds like this?
Some of the most impactful music ever made came from artists borrowing influence while still finding a way to sound unmistakably like themselves. Pop only becomes generic when it loses intention.
Finding that balance—where something feels familiar but still personal—isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely possible when you give yourself creative freedom and stay honest about who you are. For us, originality comes from embracing our identity rather than chasing trends, and letting that guide how the music evolves.
Is Power Down just a studio project for now, or do you see it as a live band somewhere down the line?
This question comes up a lot. We both have extensive live backgrounds, so performing isn’t foreign territory. That said, right now, Power Down is being built primarily as an online project with a sense of mystery surrounding it.
We’re focused on refining the material, developing the visuals, and connecting with an audience first. Once that foundation feels solid, exploring a live version of Power Down is definitely within the realm of possibility.
And where next for Power Down—more releases? An album? And where next for the two of you as individuals, too?
We actually already have several releases out, having quietly rolled things out toward the end of 2025. As this new year unfolds, listeners will start to see much more activity as we solidify the visual language and world-building around the project.
The videos have been our primary way of sharing that vision so far, but we have bigger ideas in motion that will expand both the emotional and creative scope of the project. On a personal level, we’ve both gone through significant growth over the past several months, and that shift has deeply influenced the music. Our goal moving forward is simple: stay inspired, stay honest, and continue channeling life’s ups and downs into something meaningful.
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